Cannot open my Photoshop

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
August 12, 2026
5 replies
64 views

it says damaged file

Correct answer creative explorer

@custos_1214 I had to re-read this...Are you saying Photoshop the app is damaged (the installer) or is it a Photoshop PSD or image is damaged?

If the Photoshop installer is damaged, delete that and download a fresh new installer. Make sure it is 100% downloaded before trying to open it. Make sure to download only from Adobe website, https://www.adobe.com/apps or use Adobe’s Creative Cloud Desktop app to install Photoshop

If you have Photoshop installed, and somehow Photoshop can’t be open, I would use Adobe Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool to fix common issues, such as removing outdated Adobe software, cleaning corrupt files, and repairing host files for Adobe server connectivity. https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/creative-cloud/apps/troubleshoot/diagnostics-repair-tools/run-creative-cloud-cleaner-tool.html

Once Photoshop is removed, DO NOT USE the same installer. Delete that installer, and download a new installer. Or else you could be in a loop of installing a corrupted Photoshop app! And that would drive anyone batty!

creative explorer

Correct answer

Community Expert

@custos_1214 I had to re-read this...Are you saying Photoshop the app is damaged (the installer) or is it a Photoshop PSD or image is damaged?

If the Photoshop installer is damaged, delete that and download a fresh new installer. Make sure it is 100% downloaded before trying to open it. Make sure to download only from Adobe website, https://www.adobe.com/apps or use Adobe’s Creative Cloud Desktop app to install Photoshop

If you have Photoshop installed, and somehow Photoshop can’t be open, I would use Adobe Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool to fix common issues, such as removing outdated Adobe software, cleaning corrupt files, and repairing host files for Adobe server connectivity. https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/creative-cloud/apps/troubleshoot/diagnostics-repair-tools/run-creative-cloud-cleaner-tool.html

Once Photoshop is removed, DO NOT USE the same installer. Delete that installer, and download a new installer. Or else you could be in a loop of installing a corrupted Photoshop app! And that would drive anyone batty!

m

Peru Bob

Community Expert

Can you open it in another app like Windows Photos or Paint?

If so, save it with a different name.

creative explorer

Community Expert

@custos_1214 If a file says “damaged”, it’s likely it's corrupted. If you open or recover it, please re‑save it under a new name.

If you are sending this file to someone by email, zip it to try preventing any file corruption

Is the file damaged from an email attachment? If so, can you get the sender to rename the file and zip it back to you?

m

Srishti Bali

Community Manager

Hi @custos_1214

I’m sorry to hear that Photoshop isn’t opening. It looks like you may be trying to launch Photoshop by double-clicking a file.

In addition to what @Ged_Traynor already suggested, have you tried launching Photoshop directly from the Creative Cloud desktop app?

If the issue persists, please try resetting Photoshop preferences after creating a backup of your current preferences. You can follow the steps here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/get-started/settings-and-preferences/reset-preferences.html#:~:text=Manually%20reset%20preferences

Thanks, Srishti Bali | Community & Engagement Strategist, Digital Imaging | Adobe

Ged_Traynor

Community Expert

@custos_1214 what version of Photoshop are you referring too, have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling it from the Creative Cloud app, if that’s applicable to you

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